Hugh Grant is afraid that he may have "frightened the children" in his newest performance.

The 51-year-old actor took a brief respite from Hollywood, last appearing in 2009 film Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Hugh put a lot of force behind the voice of an eccentric pirate captain in his upcoming animated feature Pirates! Band of Misfits.

He hopes he didn't go too far.

"There was a camera on me and I've seen the footage," Hugh told People magazine. "I'm overacting so violently that they had to tone it down [in the animated version]. I think it would have frightened the children."

Hugh was so vociferous while recording that he oftentimes lost his capacity to speak.

"I was never properly trained so I don't use my diaphragm to shout," he shared.

"I would go hoarse and they'd have to send me home. I used to lose my voice after about 20 minutes."

The actor welcomed his daughter Tabitha last fall and is excited for her to enjoy the film one day.

"It's nice to think that one day my daughter may see it, may love it," Hugh gushed.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is released in US theatres this weekend.